BENARTY Heritage Preservation Group feels strongly that Community Council boundaries which were in place in 1973 concerning the village of Glencraig are re-instated.

The village, which straddles a Parish boundary, is very much part of the Benarty area historically, physically and emotionally and clearly was never part of Lochgelly Burgh, whose original northern boundary was aligned close to Colquhally Road, the entrance to the present-day Cartmore Industrial Estate.

Former Glencraig residents are very proud whether they lived in North Glencraig (Ballingry Parish) or in South Glencraig (Auchterderran Parish).

Our group members have noted a Lochgelly Burgh boundary change on May 15 1948 resulting in an enlargement of Lochgelly Burgh Unit, including a boundary change to include the land now occupied by Lochgelly High School but not extending northwards of the east-west farm road leading to Easter Cartmore.

Feelings are running very high within the group concerning the most recent revelations that further boundary changes have, in fact taken place, in a northerly direction to now include the lands of South Glencraig within the confines of Lochgelly.

Our group members are very concerned at the 'disappearance' of the historic village of Glencraig by such boundary changes, and in particular, since members are not aware of any public consultations on these recent boundary changes having taken place.

MARY CLARKE,

Minute Secretary,

Benarty Heritage Preservation Group.

Glencraig-The village that died

'Twas 10am on an August morn,

The sky was blue the sun shone warm,

To the 'Meadows Park' I made my way,

Yet! To the hill of Clune my feet did stray.

I stood upon its summit high,

Watched Fitty's water flowing by,

Twisting its way, first left then right,

Under Clochrat bridge and out of sight.

So I spread my gaze past either shore,

Remembering it in days of yore,

Where cattle now graze miners rows stood there,

Like the 'Double Blocks' and the Famous 'Square'.

The 'Gaffers Row' and so many more.

With Barclay's Chemist and Lochgelly Store,

'Nevay's the Barber,' Joe Gizzies Club,

'Wilson's Chip Shop' and 'John Hunter's Pub.'

Then I raised my eyes to a higher line,

Where the colliery chimney spewed smoke and grime,

And the winding engine with its awesome whine,

Sent the cage a' plunging down the mine,

The burning bing with its sulphurous coals,

The old pug engine, the fire holes.

But all have gone these many years,

With lowered eyes now filled with tears,

Retraced my steps with a heavy sigh,

It's so sad to see a village die.

JAMES ROWAN.